Obesity is an increasing problem and challenge for the healthcare systems in developed countries as well as in developing countries. It is also an important risk factor (e.g. for diabetes, hypertension and musculosceletal impairment.) In the last years many genetic, behavioural, endocrinologic, and cultural causes of obesity have been determined. Several infectious agents have been discussed, especially the human adenovirus- 36. Although a lot of research regarding the effects of adenovirus-36 on the metabolism has been done, it still remains unclear, whether obese people are at higher risk for infection or the infection causes obesity.
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4) Int J Pediatr Obes. 2010 Apr;5(2):157-60. Human adenovirus-36 antibody status is associated with obesity in children. Atkinson RL, Lee I, Shin HJ, He J. Obetech Obesity Research Center, Richmond, VA 23219, USA. ratkinson2@vcu.edu
5) Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 Jan;19(1):220-1. Epub 2009 Dec 10. Lack of evidence for the role of human adenovirus-36 in obesity in a European cohort. Goossens VJ, deJager SA, Grauls GE, Gielen M, Vlietinck RF, Derom CA, Loos RJ, Rensen SS, Buurman WA, Greve JW, van Baak MA, Wolffs PF, Bruggeman CA, Hoebe CJ. Department of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. v.goossens@mumc.nl
— Johannes Heymer